Guidance For Care Home Visits

Visiting your loved one in a care home can provide comfort, reassurance and emotional support, helping them feel secure in their surroundings.

This article explores practical ways to make your care home visits more impactful and enjoyable.

The Importance of Care Home Visits

Visiting your loved one in a care home can help reduce their feelings of loneliness and help keep them upbeat over time. Social interaction stimulates cognitive function, so it can also help keep their minds active and engaged.

Additionally, by visiting and engaging with staff and other residents, you can monitor their care and ensure they’re comfortable and well-looked after. Ultimately, frequent visits can improve your loved one’s overall quality of life and contribute to a sense of security and happiness.

How Can Family Members Get Involved in Activities?

Here are ways in which family members can get involved more in the care home to help their loved ones stay connected and feel comfortable in their environment:

Assist in Group Exercises

Exercising is vital for maintaining mobility, flexibility, and overall health, as well as for achieving prolonged independence.

Whether it’s a stroll outside, chair yoga or low-impact aerobics, your presence can motivate your loved one to participate in such activities, making them more enjoyable and interactive.

Your involvement can also encourage and support your loved ones if they’re hesitant to join group sessions, boosting their confidence over time.

Help Organise Events

Helping organise special events such as themed parties, festive celebrations, or social gatherings can help you feel more involved in your loved one’s new life. These events can also bring memorabilia to the care home, breaking the monotony of the daily routine.

Getting involved can also ensure that activities are tailored to your loved one’s interests, making them more meaningful and engaging, ultimately creating a memorable shared experience for them and you.

Sharing Skills and Experiences

Consider enriching the lives of the care home residents by sharing your skills and exercises. For instance, if you’re a keen baker, can knit or play an instrument, share these talents to provide entertainment and engagement.

Skill-based activities can encourage residents to learn and create, promoting mental stimulation. It can also gather people together, reducing the feeling of loneliness. You can contribute to a dynamic and enriching care home experience by sharing your abilities, so don’t be shy.

Activities Best for Family Involvement

Engaging in fun and interactive activities provides a sense of normalcy and strengthens familiarity. Below are some of the best activities for you and your loved one to participate in and bond over:

Group Games

Games involving multiple people, such as board games, cards or bingo, can be a delightful way to interact and bond with your loved one and their residential friends. As they encourage laughter and friendly competition, they create a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for all, allowing all involved to forget stresses and worries.

For your loved one, these games serve as a great way to maintain their mental sharpness while also providing motivation and encouragement, ensuring they remain engaged and play their favourite pastime games with their resident friends on days you cannot visit.

Arts and Crafts

With various festive holidays to celebrate all year round, arts and crafts is a great way to spend purposeful time with your loved one during that time of year. For instance, you can watch your favourite movie together, create themed decorations or make greeting cards.

Not only do these hands-on activities offer a sense of accomplishment and joy, but they can also improve motor skills. Creative activities like this can bring the whole family together, including young family members, helping to strengthen bonds and continue to create cherished memories.

Scrapbooking

Creating a scrapbook with old photographs, letters, and mementoes is a meaningful and sentimental activity that reinforces familial bonds while providing a lasting keepsake that residents can revisit and enjoy anytime. It can be particularly valuable to younger family members, allowing them to learn more about their heritage and family history.

Movie or Music Night

Settling down to watch a movie or listen to music can provide a sense of togetherness, creating a comforting and familiar atmosphere. Consider choosing films or albums you’ve bonded over before, or you know they love and get a sense of nostalgia from. This can bring back fond memories and spark engaging conversations. You can even enhance the experience by bringing snacks and blankets to make the experience cosy.

How Often Should You Visit Your Loved Ones in a Care Home?

To maintain a strong emotional connection and ensure ongoing support, you should ideally attempt to visit at least once a week.

More frequent visits can be beneficial, particularly for residents with cognitive impairments such as dementia, as they thrive on familiarity and routine.

Regular check-ins, including virtual contact, are an important part of a flexible and responsive care environment, demonstrating your love and commitment to your loved one’s overall well-being and happiness.